Video shows confrontation between security guard, man

Victim says he shot video of confrontation

A frightening confrontation between a city of Albuquerque security guard and a man using a video camera was caught on camera.

Cellphone video from the Watchdog Group PoliceComplaints.info caught an ABQ Ride security guard lashing out at the man recording him. The man told Action 7 news that the guard, identified as Andy Fitzgerald, started choking him. Fitzgerald’s partner can be heard on the video ordering the security guard to stop.

The victim said he was scared for his life.

“My only protection, cause I’m in handcuffs, is to crunch down on my neck as hard as I could, and my voice and my recording,” said the victim who spoke to Action 7 News.

The man said he started shooting video in the first place because he saw Fitzgerald detaining a man at the bus station, but something didn’t look right. He said the security guard went off when he saw him recording with his camera.

No criminal charges have been filed against Fitzgerald, but city officials said they investigated this incident, and as a result, Fitzgerald has now been moved. He’s no longer allowed to work around the public.

Administrators will hold a hearing to see if Fitzgerald will be fired.

Policecomplaints.info reports that the city has disciplined Fitzgerald for excessive force twice before.

The man who was roughed up said he plans to sue the city.

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